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The Sickness: A Supernatural Horror Novel
A husband confronted by his jealous wife . . . an old man abandoned so his grandson can claim his inheritance . . . a fifteen year-old boy disowned because of his handicap. All of them are dead. All of them have returned. And they have come for revenge.
James Harris is thirty-six years old, divorced, and has a sixteen-year-old rebellious daughter to contend with. His chaotic life is thrown into further turmoil with the phone call bearing news that his parents have died in tragic circumstances. Forced home to attend the funeral, James steps back into a world he’d tried so hard to forget.
Nash is a small farming community in rural England: picturesque and serene, but it has secrets—violent, horrific, depraved secrets. Wanting to keep their business hidden, someone is not about to let James leave. But when an unexpected visitor arrives in the village searching for James, things take a horrific turn for the worst and he is forced to face the horrors of his past if he is to have any hope of survival.
James Harris is thirty-six years old, divorced, and has a sixteen-year-old rebellious daughter to contend with. His chaotic life is thrown into further turmoil with the phone call bearing news that his parents have died in tragic circumstances. Forced home to attend the funeral, James steps back into a world he’d tried so hard to forget.
Nash is a small farming community in rural England: picturesque and serene, but it has secrets—violent, horrific, depraved secrets. Wanting to keep their business hidden, someone is not about to let James leave. But when an unexpected visitor arrives in the village searching for James, things take a horrific turn for the worst and he is forced to face the horrors of his past if he is to have any hope of survival.
- GenresHorror
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2015
19 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Dylan J. Morgan
17 books50 followersNow living and working in Norway, Dylan J. Morgan was born in New Zealand and raised in the United Kingdom. He writes during those rare quiet moments amid a hectic family life: after dark, with limited sustenance, and when his creative essence is plagued the most by tormented visions.
He is the multi-genre author of eleven books, all available exclusively to Amazon. Focusing on Horror, Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia, and sometimes a hint of Science-Fiction, his books cater for those readers who enjoy a dark, terrifying journey into worlds where a happy ending is seldom seen.
If you’re searching for that light at the end of the tunnel then stop looking—you won’t find it here.
He is the multi-genre author of eleven books, all available exclusively to Amazon. Focusing on Horror, Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia, and sometimes a hint of Science-Fiction, his books cater for those readers who enjoy a dark, terrifying journey into worlds where a happy ending is seldom seen.
If you’re searching for that light at the end of the tunnel then stop looking—you won’t find it here.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 5, 2019
I finished this book in just four sessions, as I found it difficult to put down. Even though I don’t read a lot of modern horror it gripped from the outset. Although the horror is ‘no holds barred,’ the moody setting descriptions and the way the author immerses the reader in the day to day lives of the characters meant there were also times of calm in between which I liked. I loved the supernatural element, as this is more my thing, and the author manages to portray it in an ‘almost conceivable’ way - by that I mean you could almost imagine it to be real. It’s difficult not to give any spoilers – I’ll just end by saying if you love a gripping tale and are not worried about a happy ending then this is a must-read.
November 19, 2015
In the small village of Nash Grahame Harris is woken by noises outside his farmhouse. What he discovers as he goes to investigate is beyond comprehension and is the last thing he ever sees before dying horrifically.
The only reason for James Harris’ continued existence and going through the ordeal that is his life, is his Goth teenage daughter, Ruth. He has her to stay at weekends, but she turns up at his house unexpectedly one Thursday, which breaches his custody agreement. He’s more than glad to see her, all the same. When he receives a phone call from his estranged sister, Laura, informing him of the murder of their parents, long-buried and distressing emotions begin to surface. After taking his daughter to school the next morning, James very reluctantly begins his journey to Nash to attend the funeral.
Unbeknownst to James Ruth had skipped school and was even now back at his house. Curious to know why her dad didn’t want company on the trip, or her to be anywhere near the village, and why he never talked about his boyhood, Ruth decides on a course of action that will have repercussions beyond imagining.
The horror is evident from the start of the book, beginning as it does with someone raising a corpse from the grave. The depressing and sombre atmosphere of Nash as the backdrop for the story sets the scene for what is to come. The identity of the culprit, and reason for the bringing corpses back to life to take revenge, is the mysterious thread running through the dark and gruesome story.
Facts about James’ traumatic childhood and teenage years are revealed slowly, by degrees, until I couldn’t help but think his parents got their just deserts. I liked James and Ruth very much, their relationship and love for each other is wonderful, so well defined. The rest of the characters, although unsympathetic and impossible to like, are very well drawn and so easy to picture, even if that picture isn’t a very pleasant one. Dylan Morgan is a very descriptive and skilful writer. I love how the suspense builds steadily right up to the intense and completely unexpected ending. Great cover, too.
The only reason for James Harris’ continued existence and going through the ordeal that is his life, is his Goth teenage daughter, Ruth. He has her to stay at weekends, but she turns up at his house unexpectedly one Thursday, which breaches his custody agreement. He’s more than glad to see her, all the same. When he receives a phone call from his estranged sister, Laura, informing him of the murder of their parents, long-buried and distressing emotions begin to surface. After taking his daughter to school the next morning, James very reluctantly begins his journey to Nash to attend the funeral.
Unbeknownst to James Ruth had skipped school and was even now back at his house. Curious to know why her dad didn’t want company on the trip, or her to be anywhere near the village, and why he never talked about his boyhood, Ruth decides on a course of action that will have repercussions beyond imagining.
The horror is evident from the start of the book, beginning as it does with someone raising a corpse from the grave. The depressing and sombre atmosphere of Nash as the backdrop for the story sets the scene for what is to come. The identity of the culprit, and reason for the bringing corpses back to life to take revenge, is the mysterious thread running through the dark and gruesome story.
Facts about James’ traumatic childhood and teenage years are revealed slowly, by degrees, until I couldn’t help but think his parents got their just deserts. I liked James and Ruth very much, their relationship and love for each other is wonderful, so well defined. The rest of the characters, although unsympathetic and impossible to like, are very well drawn and so easy to picture, even if that picture isn’t a very pleasant one. Dylan Morgan is a very descriptive and skilful writer. I love how the suspense builds steadily right up to the intense and completely unexpected ending. Great cover, too.
October 13, 2015
First, I have to comment on the book cover. If you saw this cover staring back at you from a shelf in a bookstore, there's no way you could ignore it. It compels you to pick up the book and investigate further and the murky colors set the tone for this supernatural horror novel.
Eerie happenings occur from the first page and continue throughout nearly the entire story. The reader knows these characters have returned from beyond the grave for revenge, but the reason and identity of the person who brought them back is a mystery until the latter part of the book. Speaking of the revenge scenes - they aren't for wimps, so if you're not a fan of gruesome and gory details, you may want to skip over those parts. But that would ruin the fun, in my opinion.
With the exception of James and his daughter, Ruth, there really aren't a lot of likable characters in this book - which may explain all the revenge killings going on. The author did an admirable job of demonstrating the sometimes difficult relationship between a teenage daughter and her father, but also the strong bond of love James and Ruth share.
One thing that seemed a little misleading was the book description in regards to the farming community hiding secrets versus only James's family but, for me, it didn't detract from the overall story line.
The Sickness serves up a generous helping of suspense and chills, so if you're feeling the Halloween spirit and looking for something to make you wonder about that scratching noise against the window or the creak on the staircase - this is your book.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the author through Rosie's Book Reviews in exchange for an honest opinion.
Eerie happenings occur from the first page and continue throughout nearly the entire story. The reader knows these characters have returned from beyond the grave for revenge, but the reason and identity of the person who brought them back is a mystery until the latter part of the book. Speaking of the revenge scenes - they aren't for wimps, so if you're not a fan of gruesome and gory details, you may want to skip over those parts. But that would ruin the fun, in my opinion.
With the exception of James and his daughter, Ruth, there really aren't a lot of likable characters in this book - which may explain all the revenge killings going on. The author did an admirable job of demonstrating the sometimes difficult relationship between a teenage daughter and her father, but also the strong bond of love James and Ruth share.
One thing that seemed a little misleading was the book description in regards to the farming community hiding secrets versus only James's family but, for me, it didn't detract from the overall story line.
The Sickness serves up a generous helping of suspense and chills, so if you're feeling the Halloween spirit and looking for something to make you wonder about that scratching noise against the window or the creak on the staircase - this is your book.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the author through Rosie's Book Reviews in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 24, 2015
Reviewed by me as part of Rosie Amber's Review team
First of all I have to say what a terrific cover this book has!
James Harris is a divorced, part time dad, living on a run down London estate. He has a warm, close relationship with his wayward, punky daughter, Ruth - which goes a long way to make up for the horror of his childhood and the breakdown of his marriage. But something's happening in the isolated village of Nash, where he grew up, and a phone call from his sister moves him to return....
Dylan Morgan is so adept at writing the underlying sinister atmosphere of the one horse town or small, 'Straw Dogs' type village - he did the American version in his excellent 'Flesh', which I read earlier this year. Travelling through Nash, I felt the silence, the claustrophobia, the despair, from the depressing mood of the sparsely populated pub, to the darkness of his former family home; there almost seems to be a sepia tone over the whole book.
This book is subtly rather than in-your-face creepy, at least at first, and the story unfolds at a steady pace, the supernatural element and details about James's dreadful childhood being released gradually, building up to an explosive end; this is a writer who totally 'gets' suspense. The characters are so well drawn, even the minor ones, particularly Ruth's creepy stepfather. I loved Ruth, she's a great kid, tough and ballsy but with a sometimes most mature outlook, and James is very likable, too.
Definitely recommended for all lovers of supernatural horror.
First of all I have to say what a terrific cover this book has!
James Harris is a divorced, part time dad, living on a run down London estate. He has a warm, close relationship with his wayward, punky daughter, Ruth - which goes a long way to make up for the horror of his childhood and the breakdown of his marriage. But something's happening in the isolated village of Nash, where he grew up, and a phone call from his sister moves him to return....
Dylan Morgan is so adept at writing the underlying sinister atmosphere of the one horse town or small, 'Straw Dogs' type village - he did the American version in his excellent 'Flesh', which I read earlier this year. Travelling through Nash, I felt the silence, the claustrophobia, the despair, from the depressing mood of the sparsely populated pub, to the darkness of his former family home; there almost seems to be a sepia tone over the whole book.
This book is subtly rather than in-your-face creepy, at least at first, and the story unfolds at a steady pace, the supernatural element and details about James's dreadful childhood being released gradually, building up to an explosive end; this is a writer who totally 'gets' suspense. The characters are so well drawn, even the minor ones, particularly Ruth's creepy stepfather. I loved Ruth, she's a great kid, tough and ballsy but with a sometimes most mature outlook, and James is very likable, too.
Definitely recommended for all lovers of supernatural horror.
February 21, 2016
Review of Dylan Morgan’s
The Sickness
Wow, where do I start! This is not only an intriguing story, but it also follows a line of suspense and horror as well—two of my favorite genre’s when it comes to a good book.
Try to imagine growing up in a special brand of hell. What I mean is put yourself in the shoes of a person who is born with a father who abuses you in the most horrific ways. The torture you endured during that time of your life will never truly go away no matter how far you bury it. Now, imagine after leaving that dreadful horror behind the second you turned eighteen, having your sister call, years later, to tell you your parents have been murdered, and you must come back to the nightmare you left so long ago—would you go?
Well, James Harris does. Though it’s the last place he had ever believed, he’d return to he goes back to be present at his parents funeral. Not for her parents of course but for his estranged sister he’d left behind. However, his homecoming brings with it a wickedness—one not even encumbered by his father. His bad feelings about returning to his hometown of Nash are about to be revealed. Then when his daughter Ruth shows up, his worst nightmares become reality. James is about to lay witness to an evil he couldn’t have anticipated.
Dylan Morgan has outdone himself with this novel. His writing left my heart racing, blood pumping, and fear creeping its way through my veins. I have to say, this is one of the best story’s I have read by this talented author. It is most definitely a must read for any horror, suspense fan.
The Sickness
Wow, where do I start! This is not only an intriguing story, but it also follows a line of suspense and horror as well—two of my favorite genre’s when it comes to a good book.
Try to imagine growing up in a special brand of hell. What I mean is put yourself in the shoes of a person who is born with a father who abuses you in the most horrific ways. The torture you endured during that time of your life will never truly go away no matter how far you bury it. Now, imagine after leaving that dreadful horror behind the second you turned eighteen, having your sister call, years later, to tell you your parents have been murdered, and you must come back to the nightmare you left so long ago—would you go?
Well, James Harris does. Though it’s the last place he had ever believed, he’d return to he goes back to be present at his parents funeral. Not for her parents of course but for his estranged sister he’d left behind. However, his homecoming brings with it a wickedness—one not even encumbered by his father. His bad feelings about returning to his hometown of Nash are about to be revealed. Then when his daughter Ruth shows up, his worst nightmares become reality. James is about to lay witness to an evil he couldn’t have anticipated.
Dylan Morgan has outdone himself with this novel. His writing left my heart racing, blood pumping, and fear creeping its way through my veins. I have to say, this is one of the best story’s I have read by this talented author. It is most definitely a must read for any horror, suspense fan.
August 8, 2017
I received this book to give an honest review.
I know we should never judge a book by its cover but let me say this I LOVE this cover! It just screams pick me up!
I was not expecting this book to go the route that it did, and for that it was awesome.
James Harris left his home town when he was 18 and he vowed never to be back. He had a rough childhood and we don't really learn about that until his daughter Ruth discovers an old diary of his that he has hidden.
It seems that Nash is not quiet place it seems to be! When people start dying James learns that something more dark is going on in the family home than he ever realized. As the story unfolds we slowly get to see what James went through when he was child and it was not pretty!
The relationship that James has with his daughter Ruth is very amazing. James will do anything he can for Ruth and will try to protect her with everything he can.
The book is very descriptive and the story line flowed! I can say the way the ending came about I liked that. I think it was the perfect way to end the book that brought so much heartache to those all around!
If the author writes good stories like this one I will be looking into more of his work!
I know we should never judge a book by its cover but let me say this I LOVE this cover! It just screams pick me up!
I was not expecting this book to go the route that it did, and for that it was awesome.
James Harris left his home town when he was 18 and he vowed never to be back. He had a rough childhood and we don't really learn about that until his daughter Ruth discovers an old diary of his that he has hidden.
It seems that Nash is not quiet place it seems to be! When people start dying James learns that something more dark is going on in the family home than he ever realized. As the story unfolds we slowly get to see what James went through when he was child and it was not pretty!
The relationship that James has with his daughter Ruth is very amazing. James will do anything he can for Ruth and will try to protect her with everything he can.
The book is very descriptive and the story line flowed! I can say the way the ending came about I liked that. I think it was the perfect way to end the book that brought so much heartache to those all around!
If the author writes good stories like this one I will be looking into more of his work!
February 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this dark and sinister horror thriller. When James Harris gets news his parents have passed the terror of his childhood floods back. James escaped his parents' home 17 years ago. Now divorced, single and living alone in London seeing his teenage daughter, Ruth only at weekends, James feels he must return home if not for his parents, then definitely for his younger sister, Laura. Little does he know about the sinister mode of his parents' deaths and that what he is returning to Will prove ultimately dangerous.
This horror read, as well as giving you the sinister and creepy undertones of expecting the unexpected, allows you to become invested in the relatable characters and their relationship with each other.
Be warned the story takes a macabre and grotesque turn and had me on the edge of my seat with the hair-raising events near the end.
This is not a read for the faint-hearted as it is quite graphic in places and deals with difficult themes like child abuse, but it's definitely a read for dark horror fans.
This horror read, as well as giving you the sinister and creepy undertones of expecting the unexpected, allows you to become invested in the relatable characters and their relationship with each other.
Be warned the story takes a macabre and grotesque turn and had me on the edge of my seat with the hair-raising events near the end.
This is not a read for the faint-hearted as it is quite graphic in places and deals with difficult themes like child abuse, but it's definitely a read for dark horror fans.
November 1, 2015
'The Sickness' is the story of James, a man pulled back to his hometown for his parents funeral, where he is reminded of his awful past as his daughter makes her own sinister discovery.
This is a supernatural horror novel and as with the last book of it's kind by this author, I could not put it down. It's a captivating and suspenseful read with characters you can really care about in the form of James and his rebellious daughter Ruth. There are some brutal and gory moments of horror, but the truly terrifying moments come out of human threats. I was surprised by the twists and turns this story took and satisfied by the ending.
Morgan's novels are of a story-telling standard equal to some of the biggest names out there in horror today. I highly recommend this book to fans of horror and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
Note: I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
This is a supernatural horror novel and as with the last book of it's kind by this author, I could not put it down. It's a captivating and suspenseful read with characters you can really care about in the form of James and his rebellious daughter Ruth. There are some brutal and gory moments of horror, but the truly terrifying moments come out of human threats. I was surprised by the twists and turns this story took and satisfied by the ending.
Morgan's novels are of a story-telling standard equal to some of the biggest names out there in horror today. I highly recommend this book to fans of horror and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
Note: I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
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August 9, 2016I am the author of this book.
June 2, 2019
This book was great. The suspense, description and characters were all so well written. It's a dark tale. A real horror but with a lovely father daughter relationship woven into it. The bond between Ruth and James makes the stakes so much higher because you really care about what happens to them! Some of the other characters...not so much. Found myself giving the occasional whoop at the odd death here and there.
October 21, 2015
I received an ARC of The Sickness in exchange for an honest review via Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT
An unmarked grave, a ring of salt, and four black candles are my favourite type of opening hook. As a fan of horror, and supernatural novels, I am always happy when the two mix and The Sickness provides this in abundance.
From the opening paragraph, we are shown that some of the characters have returned from the dead. To discover why this has happened, and indeed, how it was possible, we must join James Harris as he re-visits his home town, and a past he has tried so hard to forget.
The story unfolds in the thick of the action and only after we’ve experienced our first evisceration do we get to meet our hero.
I like James, a lot. I also like his teenage daughter, Ruth. Their relationship is beautifully crafted. The bond between them is clearly evident and even though Ruth is a feisty teenager with a strong will and tendencies towards truancy, you feel the love they have for one another flow off the page. I didn’t warm to Kath, who is Ruth’s mother, but I think that was the whole point, as it strengths the readers compassion for that father and daughter attachment.
If you like your supernatural horror to be dark, gruesome and unequivocally gory, then this is the book for you. The author’s ability to describe a brutal murder down to the last laceration is captivating. He paints a vivid and colourful picture of blood and bodily fluids.
The story is set in Nash, an English countryside community. I love Morgan’s style of writing as he sets the scene. His descriptive prose is so crisp that I found myself tugging at my collar to shield from an imaginary storm. Although I don’t believe the British weather is quite as dismal as it is in Nash, Morgan certainly captures the essence of the dark and gloomy horror backdrop, and he uses it to its full potential. I believe George Romero or Wes Craven would have enjoyed developing this story for cinema.
I was expecting horror, but I wasn’t expecting such graphic sexually explicit scenes. They are sprinkled throughout the story, some of them are vital to the plot, but there were others that I felt were unnecessary, this is a purely personal observation that may not be mirrored by other readers.
I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but I must briefly mention the ending. It is explosive, expertly written and riveting. I didn’t blink in case I missed something. The plot is neatly interwoven and carefully planned out, so you don’t see any of the twists coming.
No review would be complete without a shout out for the book cover. The image, colours, and typography fit the horror genre perfectly. It drew me in straight away. I would highly recommend The Sickness if you enjoy horror or/and supernatural novels.
An unmarked grave, a ring of salt, and four black candles are my favourite type of opening hook. As a fan of horror, and supernatural novels, I am always happy when the two mix and The Sickness provides this in abundance.
From the opening paragraph, we are shown that some of the characters have returned from the dead. To discover why this has happened, and indeed, how it was possible, we must join James Harris as he re-visits his home town, and a past he has tried so hard to forget.
The story unfolds in the thick of the action and only after we’ve experienced our first evisceration do we get to meet our hero.
I like James, a lot. I also like his teenage daughter, Ruth. Their relationship is beautifully crafted. The bond between them is clearly evident and even though Ruth is a feisty teenager with a strong will and tendencies towards truancy, you feel the love they have for one another flow off the page. I didn’t warm to Kath, who is Ruth’s mother, but I think that was the whole point, as it strengths the readers compassion for that father and daughter attachment.
If you like your supernatural horror to be dark, gruesome and unequivocally gory, then this is the book for you. The author’s ability to describe a brutal murder down to the last laceration is captivating. He paints a vivid and colourful picture of blood and bodily fluids.
The story is set in Nash, an English countryside community. I love Morgan’s style of writing as he sets the scene. His descriptive prose is so crisp that I found myself tugging at my collar to shield from an imaginary storm. Although I don’t believe the British weather is quite as dismal as it is in Nash, Morgan certainly captures the essence of the dark and gloomy horror backdrop, and he uses it to its full potential. I believe George Romero or Wes Craven would have enjoyed developing this story for cinema.
I was expecting horror, but I wasn’t expecting such graphic sexually explicit scenes. They are sprinkled throughout the story, some of them are vital to the plot, but there were others that I felt were unnecessary, this is a purely personal observation that may not be mirrored by other readers.
I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but I must briefly mention the ending. It is explosive, expertly written and riveting. I didn’t blink in case I missed something. The plot is neatly interwoven and carefully planned out, so you don’t see any of the twists coming.
No review would be complete without a shout out for the book cover. The image, colours, and typography fit the horror genre perfectly. It drew me in straight away. I would highly recommend The Sickness if you enjoy horror or/and supernatural novels.
November 7, 2016
A husband confronted by his jealous wife . . . an old man abandoned so his grandson can claim his inheritance . . . a fifteen year-old boy disowned because of his handicap. All of them are dead. All of them have returned. And they have come for revenge.
James Harris is thirty-six years old, divorced, and has a sixteen year old rebellious daughter to contend with. His chaotic life is thrown into further turmoil with the phone call bearing news that his parents have died in tragic circumstances. Forced home to attend the funeral, James steps back into a world he’d tried so hard to forget.
Nash is a small farming community in rural England: picturesque and serene, but it has secrets—violent, horrific, depraved secrets. Wanting to keep their business hidden, the townsfolk are not about to let anyone leave. But when an unexpected visitor arrives in the village searching for James, things take a horrific turn for the worst and he is forced to face the horrors of his past if he is to have any hope of survival.
This was a great idea for a story with nicely set paced storyline.
The Author wrote an expertly woven storyline with a suspenseful plot that keeps you hooked until the end. It was also nice to read a horror that wasn't with a an overly familiar storyline.
James Harris is thirty-six years old, divorced, and has a sixteen year old rebellious daughter to contend with. His chaotic life is thrown into further turmoil with the phone call bearing news that his parents have died in tragic circumstances. Forced home to attend the funeral, James steps back into a world he’d tried so hard to forget.
Nash is a small farming community in rural England: picturesque and serene, but it has secrets—violent, horrific, depraved secrets. Wanting to keep their business hidden, the townsfolk are not about to let anyone leave. But when an unexpected visitor arrives in the village searching for James, things take a horrific turn for the worst and he is forced to face the horrors of his past if he is to have any hope of survival.
This was a great idea for a story with nicely set paced storyline.
The Author wrote an expertly woven storyline with a suspenseful plot that keeps you hooked until the end. It was also nice to read a horror that wasn't with a an overly familiar storyline.
November 11, 2015
With The Sickness, Dylan J. Morgan has created an expertly woven plot, a thrilling horror novel. The Sickness comprises authentic characters; James is a very likeable guy, I liked him from the start. You may feel inclined to change your opinion on his daughter Ruth. The more you learn about her, the more you are inclined to really like her. I had a great time reading - this is a very compelling read. I was drawn into the story right away, close to James and relieved to be invisible.
The cover is awesome - perfect for this story.
This is for you if you like some shivers running down your spine, a creepy atmosphere and a mystery that needs to be solved.
A remarkable story to read again.
Highly recommended!
4.6 stars
The cover is awesome - perfect for this story.
This is for you if you like some shivers running down your spine, a creepy atmosphere and a mystery that needs to be solved.
A remarkable story to read again.
Highly recommended!
4.6 stars
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews